Youth Love Egypt Participates in INC-5.2 International Conference to Combat Plastic Pollution in Geneva
Youth Love Egypt Foundation (YLE) took part in the opening day of the resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2), held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The conference aims to establish a legally binding international treaty to combat plastic pollution, including pollution in the marine environment. YLE’s participation in this historic event is a natural extension of its ongoing efforts in environmental protection and sustainable development.
Ahmed Fathy, President of Youth Love Egypt Foundation, affirmed the significance of Egypt’s active engagement in this global forum, emphasizing the pivotal role of youth in driving environmental change. He highlighted Egypt’s successful local experience in combating plastic pollution and underlined that the foundation’s current participation in Geneva builds on its involvement in INC-5.1, held in South Korea last year, which did not yield the desired outcomes.
“This conference is a continuation of our mission to reduce plastic use and push for a legally binding international treaty to tackle plastic pollution,” Fathy said. He added that YLE has used this platform to advance its awareness-raising efforts against all forms of plastic pollution and to take tangible action through clean-up campaigns—most recently in Marsa Matrouh, Egypt. This campaign, a prime example of YLE’s local environmental work, saw significant participation from Egyptian youth and succeeded in cleaning vast stretches of Egyptian beaches, removing large amounts of plastic waste.
During the conference, Fathy also shed light on the challenges faced by developing countries in meeting environmental commitments, stressing the need for adequate technical and financial support. He called for the integration of youth into environmental decision-making processes at all levels.
INC-5.2 is witnessing intensive discussions on the treaty’s reference text, with clear disagreements among working groups and numerous proposals submitted by different countries. Particular focus is being placed on issues such as definitions, scope, and financial mechanisms. It is hoped that the second week will bring further progress, leading to a final text that gains consensus among participating states.
Press release on the participation of the Youth Love Egypt Foundation in the INC-5.2
